Michigan State Spartans Deploy the Explosive Elijah Collins
By Bob Heyrman
The Michigan State Spartans offense finally exploded last week against the Western Michigan Broncos. I thought the game was a trap game for the Spartans who struggled in week one. The Broncos looked crisp in their opening game. Can Sparty keep the momentum rolling today in East Lansing against the Arizona State Sun Devils?
Just when you think the Michigan State Spartans will struggle to score 20 points against any team, they explode and score more than 50. Sounds about, right? Football is so unpredictable, especially college.
You’d think the hated rival Wolverines would have handled Army with ease after mentioning they’ve been preparing for the option run for weeks. I thought the Spartans would win but play the Broncos reasonably close. Boy was I wrong on both fronts. Army pushed the Wolverines to the brink, nearly ruining their season.
The Michigan State Spartans, on the other hand, decided to unleash a spread offense look finally landing them in the 21st century. Mark Dantonio apparently had some choice words for the Spartans offense on the Monday after barely beating Tulsa. Apparently, the message was received. I’d imagine Dantonio had a few terms to share with newly appointed offensive coordinator Brad Salem too.
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The spread look is a breath of fresh air in East Lansing, finally a different look from the power run offense they’ve used for years. The Spartans were spreading the defense out with four-wide sets and deploying their fastest, most explosive back in Elijah Collins, who had a day. Collins busted out against the Broncos for 192 yards, solidifying himself as the starter.
It will be a rude awakening for the Arizona State Sun Devils who struggled to get a run game going in their first two contests playing against Kent State & Sacramento State. This is Michigan State! At the moment, the best defense in the country. Herman Edwards and the Sun Devils are running a true freshman quarterback out to face this defense? Don’t be surprised if he wakes up on Saturday with the 24-hour flu. I’m kidding, but it must be tempting after watching the film of this Michigan State Spartan defense.
After watching the Spartans offense, last week fans should be a bit more confident, but the Sun Devils have a decent defense. The only chance the Sun Devils have today is if Spartans quarterback Brian Lewerke reverts back to the player he was last year. If he starts to struggle Collins will likely take over on the ground as they will bleed the clock, dusting off the old playbook they’ve used the last ten years.
Next. Three Reasons the Spartans Can Win The Big Ten. dark
A year ago, Arizona State beat the Spartans 16-13. They won’t admit it, but this is a revenge game for the Michigan State Spartans and led by this fierce defense expect them to handle their business today, promptly sending the Sun Devils back home to lick their wounds.